Founders

Karlene Davis

Founder and CEO of Vash Beauty Labs, a cosmetic chemist-led private label manufacturing company built to support indie beauty founders with customizable formulas and low minimum order quantities. With a BS in Biology, an MS in Biomedical Sciences, and currently pursuing an MS in Cosmetic Science and Formulation Design (expected Dec 2025), Karlene blends scientific rigor with industry insight. With over a decade of experience in cosmetic formulation and a career as a researcher in pharmaceutical marketing, she launched Vash Beauty Labs to fill a critical gap in the beauty industry: accessible, high-quality manufacturing for small and growing brands. Today, Vash offers ready-to-customize base formulas, R&D services, and small-scale production—helping founders bring their products to life without the barriers of traditional labs.

Tracy Gills-Reese

Lisa Marsh, Founder of MsPsGlutenfree is an accidental entrepreneur. I worked in federal law enforcement for 27 years, having spent time at five different duty stations and relocating back home to Chicago to spend the last five years of my mom's life with her. My mom was the strongest woman I have ever known, she bore and raised six bad a** kids on the southside of Chicago along with my dad. The year my mom passed away was the same year I found out I needed to be gluten-free. When I went looking for tasty gluten-free snacks in 2009, most items tasted like sawdust, I began baking and MsPsGFree Inc was born.

Nicole Sain

TrnscndWellness is a Chicago-founded, women-owned health and wellness company on a mission to create inclusive, clean products for real people with real needs. Our flagship product, Talk Natural Whitening Toothpaste, is a gentle, fluoride-free, sensory-friendly alternative that’s safe if swallowed, vegan-certified, and powered by hydroxyapatite—a naturally occurring mineral in teeth that helps strengthen enamel, brighten smiles, and support gum health without harsh chemicals. Our founder, Nicole, was inspired to create Talk after a deeply personal journey—rooted in the desire to meet the unique needs of her autistic daughter and her own healing transformation during the pandemic. What began as a search for safer oral care evolved into a purpose-driven brand committed to wellness without compromise. But our mission doesn’t stop at toothpaste. TrnscndWellness is proud to give back, including recent donations to women’s homeless shelters in Chicago to help ensure access to essential oral care. We are also honored to be named a Brilliantly Black Awardee by iHeart Radio and BMO Harris Bank. To hear Nicole’s story firsthand, listen to our feature on the Brilliantly Black Podcast: 🎧 Brilliantly Black Podcast, Ep. 82 <-- visit talktoothpaste.com and click on the iheart radio icon for the redirect to the poadcast appearance Your support helps us scale our impact and bring inclusive wellness products to more families. Join us on this journey—your contribution makes a difference.

Jada Samuels

Jada Samuels is the founder and CEO of Jada Juice, an all-natural cold-pressed juice brand committed to promoting generational health and wellness through fresh, flavorful ingredients and intentional community impact.

Uche Jumbo

Founder, CHOPUTA Ancient Supergrain Cereal 1st Fonio Cereal

Tracea Wright

Tracea Wright is a passionate community leader, entrepreneur, and the founder of True Hope Transformation, a mission-driven organization committed to empowering individuals impacted by incarceration, addiction, and systemic marginalization. With a sharp focus on providing second chances, Tracea has dedicated her life to restoring hope and dignity to those society often overlooked. Her journey began in 2017 when she identified a critical gap in the reentry process—individuals unable to leave prison due to a lack of stable housing. Deeply moved by the stories of abandonment and hopelessness she encountered, Tracea stepped in to become the person who believed in those who had no one left. She founded True Hope Transformation to provide transitional and long-term housing, paired with supportive services that promote self-sufficiency, personal development, and lasting transformation. A changemaker at heart, Tracea Wright continues to expand her impact, driven by purpose, resilience, and a fierce dedication to social justice. Her work is a testament to the power of compassion in action—and a reminder that true transformation begins when someone dares to believe in another’s potential.

Lauren Palimore Fleming

Lauren Palimore Fleming is a corporate tax accountant turned beauty founder. In 2019, she launched The Factor Formula Skin Hair Nourishment System, a skincare and wellness brand created to help people rediscover confidence through clean, effective, and biotin-free solutions for skin and hair health. Balancing her professional tax background with her passion for natural beauty, Lauren has bootstrapped the brand from the ground up, focusing on customer care, innovation, and community. Her mission is simple: stop doing what works for others and discover what works for you.

Ajee Cook

Originally from PG County, I moved to Pennsylvania to earn my Bachelor's in Sociology from Lincoln University. I then worked in various roles in the nonprofit human services industry, where I noticed the struggle businesses faced with daily administrative tasks. T o advance my career, I pursued a Masters in Business Administration with a Management Concentration from Thomas Jefferson University. Post-graduation, I faced unemployment during the 2020 pandemic. After a year, I secured a job but was let go during my probationary period. This led me to leverage my skills to assist business owners and entrepreneurs with their operational needs. I founded "Done & Done", an operational support firm for entrepreneurs and business leaders with big dreams but limited budgets. Our goal is to help businesses reach their full potential by assisting with their administrative and operational tasks. So far, we've successfully supported dozens of entrepreneurs, enabling them to maximize their business potential.

Taylor Nickens

Rise and Ritual is led by founder and CEO Taylor Nickens, a herbalist, wellness practitioner, and experienced event producer. Taylor brings a rare combination of scientific training and herbal expertise, holding a B.S. in Health and Society and years of research experience across hospitals and labs in Vancouver, Spain, Texas, Philadelphia, and the National Institutes of Health in Maryland. She initially trained as a physician-scientist and spinal surgeon, which informed her understanding of the body and the importance of preventative, holistic health practices. Building on this foundation, Taylor studied herbal medicine and yoga in Peru, completed a two-year herbal apprenticeship in Massachusetts, and worked at a Philadelphia-based apothecary, shaping Rise and Ritual’s philosophy that healing should be both effective and accessible. She has produced wellness festivals, pop-ups, and international retreats, translating her expertise into immersive, community-centered experiences that bridge holistic wellness with creative expression. Taylor also oversees product development, retail operations, and strategic partnerships, ensuring both operational excellence and sustainable growth for Rise and Ritual.

Diva Green

I’m Diva Green, CEO & Founder of I Got Your Black. I Got Your Black is a cultural travel organization that connects travelers with Black communities globally. We use travel as a vehicle to preserve culture, strengthen the ties of the African diaspora, and grow the local economy of underinvested communities. Our mindful tourism model is centered on empowerment over extraction. Through experiences led by local experts and immersive storytelling, we help travelers and communities see how deeply connected we are across the diaspora.

Tammeca Rochester

Tammeca Rochester, a successful serial entrepreneur with global impact, uplifts underserved communities through transformative entrepreneurship. As CEO and Founder of Harlem Cycle, she has established Harlem’s first and only indoor cycling studio, conducting over 12,000 wellness classes and embodying the neighborhood’s vibrant spirit. Her advocacy for holistic wellness has been recognized in The New York Times and Essence, and amplified on the TedxHarlem stage. Her corporate background with Colgate-Palmolive and board membership at Start Small Think Big showcases her dedication to fostering inclusive entrepreneurship. Rochester holds an MBA from NYU Stern specializing in Marketing and Entrepreneurship and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics from Georgia Tech and Spelman College.